4 U.S. soldiers killed in suicide bombing

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Four U.S. servicemen were killed in a car bomb blast that occurred in Mosul city, according to the U.S. army. “Three U.S. Coalition Soldiers were killed, and another Soldier later died of wounds when a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Mosul, Iraq Feb. 9,” read a U.S. army statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “One interpreter was also injured in the attack and later died of wounds,” the statement noted. “The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the U.S. Department of Defense,” it added. The deaths raise the number of U.S. fatalities in February 2009 to five, and bring the number of U.S. soldiers who have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 to 4,242. A total of 486 U.S. troops were killed in 2003, while 849 died in 2004. Other 846 troops were killed in 2005, and 822 soldiers in 2006. 2007 remains the year that saw the highest U.S. death toll with 904. November 2004, which witnessed fierce battles between U.S. forces and armed groups in Falluja city, Anbar province, remains the month that saw the highest U.S. death toll with 137. SS (S) 1